Bach Praises Italian Taekwondo’s Aid for Ukrainian, Afghan Athletes

IOC President Thomas Bach, after receiving the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI)

Gold Collar - the highest honor of Italian sport - spent a wonderful day among athletes and sports managers.

Great emotion surrounded his visit to the Italian Taekwondo Federation gym, the nerve center of the country’s Taekwondo Olympic preparation in Rome.

There, he greeted Italian Olympians Vito Dell’Aquila and Simone Alessio and federation technical staff.

He also met the Ukrainian National Team and an Afghan refugee athlete. Both have been welcomed by the Italian Taekwondo Federation over the past two years.

“All this is wonderful, I warmly renew my thanks,” Bach told Italian Taekwondo Federation President Angelo Cito, referring to the help offered to the Ukrainian athletes and the young Afghans in Italy by the Centro di Preparazione Olimpica dell’Acqua Acetosa.

“Thank you very much for what you have